Susie looked uncomfortable and then said, "Are you sad, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth's voice trembled. "I want two things. First, I want to help Mary, because I think she needs help." Mary was another of the old women and did, the boy agreed, look like she needed help. "And second," Elizabeth went on, "I want something for myself. I spend my life caring for people, and once in a while I would like someone to care about me." She started to cry softly.

John moved forward toward the center of the circle. "Elizabeth, come here." She came forward. "Now lie down on your back and shut your eyes." She did. John put his hand on her stomach.

"What do you feel?" he said gently.

"Your hand."

"And what do you feel now?"

"Warmth."

"And what do you feel now?" His hand remained in the same place. Elizabeth was crying. "Now let that feeling rise." She relaxed.

"And what do you feel now?" His hand was still on her stomach.

"More warmth."

"And what do you feel now?"

"A slight awakening in my vagina."

Things were indeed warming up, the boy thought to himself. He did not know what to make of the scene in front of him, but looked at John with some awe. If he can bring Elizabeth's vagina to life, the boy thought, there should be a lot going on by lunch.

After Elizabeth had let a few more feelings rise, John asked the group to gather closely around her and softly massage the different parts of her body. The boy took one of her feet and noticed that her eyes were still closed. "Now slowly lift Elizabeth into the air," John said. They did, and began to rock her back and forth. Then, at John's command, they chanted, "OM" seven times, taking deep breaths each time, and chanting this magical word that contains all the sounds of the universe. Seven times they chanted, swaying Elizabeth back and forth like a child, 13 units of humanity holding her up in the bright morning sun.

"Now, slowly, lay her down." Elizabeth lay back on the floor. "Open your eyes, Elizabeth," John said. She opened her eyes, and a smile broke out on her face, and an expression of joy that the boy found a little embarrassing shone forth from her entire body.